Finalists Announced for Scottish Health Awards 2017

Two individuals and a healthcare team from Forth Valley have been selected as finalists at the Scottish Health Awards 2017.

The Forth Valley First Responders have been shortlisted for the Volunteers Award. The First Responders were nominated due to the care, support and reassurance they show to people in those vital first few minutes after an illness or accident. All 17 of the first responder volunteers have been praised for displaying enthusiasm, camaraderie and dedication to their patients on a daily basis.

Leanne Patrick, a student mental health nurse currently on a placement with NHS Forth Valley’s substance misuse service, has been shortlisted for the Young Achiever Award, while Gregor McIntosh, of McNicol Dental Surgeons, is a finalist in the Dentist of the Year award category.

Fiona Ramsay, Interim Chief Executive, NHS Forth Valley, said: “We are delighted to have three finalists from our local area shortlisted for this year’s Scottish Health Awards and I would like to wish them all the very best of luck at the award ceremony on 2nd November 2017.”

There are 17 separate award categories covering every area of healthcare, including the Nurse Award, the Volunteers Award, and the renowned Doctor Award.

The nominees fought off stiff competition to secure their place at this year’s glittering award ceremony on 2 November 2017, at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh.

The Scottish Health Awards 2017 is managed by the Scottish Government and the Daily Record.

The categories for nominations are outlined below:

Support Worker Award (sponsored by UNISON Scotland) – For an individual involved in providing excellent NHS non-clinical support services for people in Scotland.

Innovation Award (sponsored by NHS Research Scotland & SHIL) – This award is for an individual, a group or a team developing innovative ways to improve the quality of healthcare and the health of the nation to bring about service improvements such as new ways of working, faster access to services or new treatments or technology or through research.

Volunteers Award – For an individual, a group or a team who give their time freely to help improve the health and wellbeing of patients, carers and service users of NHSScotland.

Optometrist Award (Sponsored by Optometry Scotland)- An individual optometrist providing excellent NHS optometry services for the people of Scotland

Midwife Award (sponsored by the Royal College of Midwives) – For an individual midwife providing excellent, evidence-based NHS maternity services/care in Scotland.

Therapist Award – For an individual clinician providing excellent therapy services for people in Scotland.

Care for Long-Term Illness Award– For an individual, a group or a team providing excellent NHS care and support to help people who have a long-term illness.

Young Achiever Award (sponsored by City of Glasgow College) – For an individual aged 30 years or younger on 1 November 2017 who has demonstrated outstanding achievement as part of their working life.

Unsung Hero Award – For an individual, a group or a team who in the course of doing their job, make a real difference for people in Scotland, but whose work often goes unrecognised.

Care for Mental Health Award (Sponsored by Healthcare Improvement Scotland) – For an individual, a group or a team who provide NHS mental health care for people in Scotland.

Integrated Care for Older People Award – For an individual, a group or a team who provide vital, co-ordinated healthcare and support that helps older people in Scotland live safely at home and be as independent as possible.

Healthier Lifestyle Award (sponsored by Scottish Government) – For an individual, a group or a team involved in supporting people in Scotland to lead and maintain healthier lifestyles.

Leader of the Year Award (sponsored by NHS Education for Scotland) –For an individual working within NHSScotland who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities.

Dentist Award – For an individual dentist providing excellent NHS dental care for people in Scotland.